And a Special Fear for My Loved Ones, from The Black Woman [formerly The Negro Woman] (published 1946-47)

In this powerful linocut, a woman’s face emerges from a stark black background, her eyes wide with a palpable sense of anxiety. Her hands, rendered with a raw simplicity, press against her cheeks, conveying a universal gesture of distress. The bold, graphic lines common to linocut printing emphasize the tension in her expression and the weight of her concern. This print is one of fifteen in Elizabeth Catlett’s iconic series, "The Black Woman," which celebrates the strength and resilience of Black women while also acknowledging the struggles they faced. Created in 1947, during a period when Catlett was deeply engaged with social realism and printmaking in Mexico, this work captures a deeply personal and emotionally resonant moment, reflecting a specific fear for the well-being of loved ones amidst a challenging world.